About IPMS Australia

Members 'tune in' at a recent meeting.

1. Background. IPMS Australia is the second oldest branch of the worldwide IPMS fraternity, having been formed in Melbourne in 1964. The Society caters for plastic model builders with a wide range of interests including aircraft, military vehicles and equipment, cars and trucks, ships, figures and science fiction models. Most members build their models from commercially available kits to which many add various degrees of refinement or modification. Other modellers build their subjects from scratch. Variety is the spice of life and the number of subjects covered by model kits these days is truly staggering. IPMS Australia caters for the lot.

Our membership currently numbers around 100, most of whom live in metropolitan Melbourne but there are a quite a few Victorian country and interstate members and we have several active junior and female modellers in our midst. Individual or family membership is available to all interested modellers

 

2. Meetings. Society meetings are held monthly and, although structured, they are run in an informal and relaxed manner. Each meeting has a theme and members are encouraged to bring models and items of interest relating to the theme for display. Many members also bring their "models in progress" to let us see what they are currently building.

Most meetings include a discussion on a particular modelling topic and a guest speaker is sometimes featured. Representatives of special interest groups, such as the car modellers, speak about the latest happenings in their field of interest and several of our members who are employed in the hobby retail trade do a "show and tell" on the latest kits and accessories to hit the market.

A competition is conducted over eight of the monthly meetings and the points scored each month are accumulated towards the "Modeller of the Year" award.

The November meeting is usually run as a Trivia Quiz night with members of other clubs invited to participate.

 

Some "models in progress" at a recent meeting
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Meetings are held on the third Tuesday of each month, except December, in the Copeland Room of the Ashburton Library, 154 High St., Ashburton (Melways reference Map 60 C10 ) from 7.45pm and generally run until about 10.30pm.
3. Committee. IPMS Australia is an incorporated organisation and has a formal constitution. The management of the Society is handled by an elected committee who meet at a separate time and location so that the monthly "club" meetings are kept free for modelling topics. The only exception is the Annual General Meeting which is held at the commencement of the normal February meeting. Office bearers present their reports, a new committee is elected and members have the opportunity to raise issues relevant to the running of the Society.

4. Newsletter. A monthly Modelcraft Newsletter is mailed to all members to keep them advised of Society activities and coming events plus events within the general modelling community. The Newsletter also frequently contains articles on modelling topics. Members are encouraged to submit articles for publication.
5. Internet Website. You're looking at it. This site is under constant development and all member contributions are welcomed. Contributions can be submitted by email to :ipms@ipmsaustralia.com.au  or by other means by arrangement.

6. Activities. The Society conducts several special activities during the year including the Wheels & Tracks military modelling competition in March which is open to the public either as competitors or viewers, the Swap & Sell in August which is also open to the public as either buyers or sellers, the End of Year Competition (limited to Society members) and Dinner in December. These events, are normally held at St Michael’s Parish Hall, Ashburton, see the details on the Events Calendar.

IPMS Australia is the principle organising body for the annual Model Expo which has grown to be the largest model competition and display in Australia. After twenty one years at the Royal Melbourne Showgrounds , Expo is moving to a new site and a new date and  will now be held at the Sandown Entertainment Centre over the Queen’s Birthday long weekend in June, see the Model Expo website for details.

We also participate in various modelling events throughout the year including the Vic Wills inter-club model car competition (organised jointly with AMCC), Eagles Day aircraft modelling competition (organised jointly with Axis Eagles) and the Interclub competition (hosted by WSMC).

7. Subscription Cost. The annual membership subscription is currently $25 for individuals and an additional $3 for each family member who wishes to join. Subscriptions are due and payable on January 1 each year. Members receive a membership number and a card which enables them to qualify for discounts from some hobby retailers.

8. How to Join.